After a free-flowing start featuring eight lead changes, Jesse Wagstaff gave the Wildcats a six-point buffer with consecutive three-pointers.

Perth claimed the opening quarter 22-18 as Dunigan made his presence felt in the middle by sending MacMillan's first inside attempt into the stands.

Dunigan and Lisch then pushed the Cats up by eight in the second stanza before tensions flared between Glen Saville and Shawn Redhage, resulting in a technical foul against the Hawks veteran.

Redhage maintained his intensity following the scuffle, adding four points, while a pair of late threes by Greg Hire (13 points, 7 rebounds) stretched the visitors' advantage to 42-28 at the half.

MacMillan ignited the crowd in the third quarter, his gritty work in the paint producing six points in a flurry including the go-ahead basket that capped a 17-2 run.

Hurdle and Lisch then displayed some crafty shot-making as the import guards went toe-to-toe in the final term.

Perth had their noses in front for the initial five minutes, but MacMillan once again produced the final go-ahead basket at 63-62 on a slick pick-and-roll with Rhys Martin and the Hawks never looked back.